AFL Round 18 – latest news, odds and complete betting preview

WITH just over a month of home and away action left, the finals race is far from over.

In Round 18, the Hawks and the Tigers will clash in a pivotal match which could shape the top four, the Giants travel West to tackle the Dockers in hopes of re-entering the top eight, while the Dogs will need to end a six-game losing streak against the Bombers to confirm their finals position.

Let’s take a look at the action which kicks off on Friday night.

Hawks vs. Tigers

Friday, July 31st, 7:50pm, Melbourne Cricket Ground

Hawthorn – $1.92 (-35.5)

Richmond – $1.92 (+35.5)

Round 18 begins at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with the third placed Hawthorn hosting the fifth placed Richmond.

The Hawks are on a roll and look destined to finish in the top two after dismantling Fremantle, Sydney and Carlton, each by over 10 goals, in the last three weeks.

The Tigers were unlucky losers last week against Fremantle, with a Bachar Houli mistake in the last two minutes handing the Dockers an unlikely victory.

Richmond has had great success over Hawthorn in recent times, with the Tigers winning two of the last three matches against the reigning premiers.

Hawthorn’s spectacular July run should continue as the reigning premiers strengthen their home final chances.

The Blues were humiliated last week by Hawthorn in what was a club record losing margin on a night where the club was celebrating their 20th anniversary of the 1995 premiership win.

This will be the first time North Melbourne’s off-season recruit Jarrad Waite plays against his old club and in a strange twist of fate, Waite will also play his 200th AFL game on the same night.

The Blues have to salvage something out of last Friday night’s wreckage, but with North rolling towards the finals and Carlton sitting towards the tail of the ladder it is hard to see this being a genuine contest.

North Melbourne should win easily and keep the finals dream alive.

Tip: North Melbourne to win by 40+ $1.99 via Sportsbet

Exotic: Marc Murphy to get 30 or more disposals – $4.20 via Sportsbet

Power vs. Saints

Sunday, August 2nd, 1:10pm, Adelaide Oval

Port Adelaide – $1.91 (-30.5)

St Kilda – $1.91 (+30.5)

The first Sunday game of the weekend kicks off at Adelaide Oval with the Power hosting the Saints in a must-win match for Port.

The Power were unconvincing in their win last week against Essendon, but the victory keeps the flickering flame of finals football alight for at least one more week.

Port simply cannot afford to lose.

The Saints were brilliant last week in their match against Melbourne, keeping the Demons at arm’s length for the entirety of the match in a performance that belied their inexperienced line up.

The Saints will be without spearhead Nick Riewoldt who finally has succumbed to a calf injury he has been carrying for weeks. Tim Membrey is his likely replacement.

Port Adelaide’s season is on a knife’s edge, one more loss and the finals are out of the equation.

The Power’s 2015 campaign ends with a loss here, but Ken Hinkley’s men should have too much experience for the Saints and will register their second win in a row.

Tip: Port Adelaide to win $1.19 via William Hill

Exotic: First goal scorer –Jay Schultz $9 via Sportsbet

Bombers vs. Bulldogs

Sunday, August 2nd, 3:20pm, Etihad Stadium

Essendon – $1.92 (+14.5)

Western Bulldogs – $1.92 (-14.5)

Etihad Stadium plays host to the Bombers and the Bulldogs match on Sunday afternoon with plenty on the line for the plucky Dogs.

The Western Bulldogs look finals bound after a solid win over fellow finals aspirants Collingwood, with their midfield depth amongst the best in the competition.

The Bombers were gallant but ultimately fell short against the Power last week, with wastefulness in front of goal Essendon’s downfall.

The Bombers welcome back a wealth of experience, with Adam Cooney, Jake Carlisle, Jonathan Giles and Jake Melksham all named in the extended squad.

Shaun McKernan is the only omission for the Dons.

The Bulldogs have included Lin Jong and Tom Boyd with no outs named at this stage.

The Bombers have dominated against their opponents in the last few years, with Essendon possessing a six game win streak over the Bulldogs.

Expect the Dogs to snap that streak on Sunday, though, with the prospect of finals now a realistic and tangible option for Luke Beveridge’s boys.

Tip: Western Bulldogs to win $1.46 via William Hill

Exotic: First goal scorer – Joe Daniher $8 via Sportsbet

Dockers vs. Giants

Sunday, August 2nd, 4:40pm, Domain Stadium

Fremantle – $1.91 (-26.5)

GWS – $1.92 (+26.5)

The final game of the round sees the top of the table Dockers hosting the Giants in a match the visitors need to win to stay alive in season 2015.

The Dockers were brilliant last week in their win over the Tigers, maintaining their one game advantage at the top of the AFL ladder with a last gasp win.

The Giants blew their chance to maintain their spot in the top eight after conceding defeat to the Cats in Canberra last Saturday.

Big news out of the clash is that superstar midfielder and favourite for the Brownlow medal Nat Fyfe will miss Sunday’s match with a groin injury.